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Almost two weeks after $1 million in economic stimulus dollars began to flow into the community, the well has dried up.

Grant program funding made available through the Office of Economic Vitality went to 487 Leon County businesses in danger of shuttering as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread.

The Democrat has requested a complete list of the businesses but had not received it by press time Tuesday.

The decision by the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency may just help local businesses stay afloat until more help arrives, said Leon County Commission Chairman and Chairman of the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Bryan Desloge.

“Local businesses need our support now more than ever,” Desloge said in a statement. “I am pleased that my colleagues and I made a swift decision to help small businesses weather the storm and provide a local bridge to state and federal assistance during this challenging time.”

FYI: To provide our community with important public safety information, the Tallahassee Democrat is making stories related to the coronavirus free to read. To support important local journalism like this, please consider becoming a digital subscriber.

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The Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency met by teleconference to discuss a local stimulus package to help businesses struggling while coronavirus continues to spread(Photo: Karl Etters/Democrat)

The COVID-19 Economic Disaster Relief (CEDR) Grant Program is meant to provide immediate assistance while state money and federal money flows into the Florida and makes it into the hands of businesses everywhere through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan or the Small Business Administration disaster assistance program.

The Blueprint board, made of up of all 12 city and county commissioners, may come back and try to get more money into the hands of businesses at its April 15 meeting.

“The quick action by the IA Board to provide initial grant relief served 487 small business, all who have been overwhelming grateful for this initial lifeline,” OEV Director Cristina Paredes said. “While the coronavirus pandemic still leaves a lot of uncertainty, please know that our team at the Office of Economic Vitality is here to help answer your questions regarding business assistance programs at the local, state, and federal level.”

Contact Karl Etters at ketters@tallahassee.com or @KarlEtters on Twitter.